Our favorite type of Victorian pencil is the figural. These pencils came in many
forms such as: champagne and whisky bottles (as pictured), pistols, umbrellas,
animals, shoes, walking canes etc... Almost anything you could think of was made
into a figural pencil. It seems the Victorians had quite a sense of humor.
Most of the non-figural, and so called standard, mechanical pencils were made
out of silver gold plate/gold filled metals. The figural versions could be made out
of other metals such as nickel and so on...
Some of the pencils took on dual functions. They were made to incorporate letter
openers, rulers, penknives etc...
Many of the silver pencils were elaborate in their design. One of the more elaborate
design processes was called "Repousse." Repousse means raising the design by
working with the metal from the reverse side. This makes the design "stand out."
You could also find mini lead pencils accompanying small notebooks that would be
hung on chantalaine holder for easy access (see pictured).
We have found, through our research, that the silver and gold plated/gold filled pencils
were fairly easy to find in an economical price range. The hardest and most expensive
pencils to find are the figural pencils.
Remember, next time you go to an antique show the object you are looking at could be a
"Victorian Mechanical Pencil."
Happy Writing!!!
